Boys are deep and experienced

SWANSEA — The 2013-2014 Joseph Case High School boys' basketball is carrying over a lot of experience and optimism after its successful season a year ago. Last season, the Cardinals were 15-9 and hosted and won a playoff game versus Dighton-Rehoboth before losing to Wareham.

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By BOB MITCHELL

southcoasttoday.com

By BOB MITCHELL

Posted Dec. 18, 2013 at 12:56 PM

By BOB MITCHELL

Posted Dec. 18, 2013 at 12:56 PM

» Social News

SWANSEA — The 2013-2014 Joseph Case High School boys' basketball is carrying over a lot of experience and optimism after its successful season a year ago. Last season, the Cardinals were 15-9 and hosted and won a playoff game versus Dighton-Rehoboth before losing to Wareham.

"We're 10 deep. I feel very comfortable with whoever I put out there," Case coach Tim Plante said. "Last year's playoff game against DR was awesome. The gym was sold out, students cheering loudly, and some great high school basketball was played. Now at Case, we have built a basketball program that is very competitive and the kids want to keep it that way."

Up front, the team will be led by 6-foot-6 center Zac Correll and forward Felipe Pires. Correll is presence in the paint and a strong post player and rebounder. He averaged eight points and six rebounds a game last season.

Pires is described by Plante as having tremendous basketball instincts and he can drive and rebound and, depending on the match-up, can even run the point. Nick Kenyon will be the shooting guard. He has a great outside shot and possesses an uncanny ability to get to the basket when more closely guarded.

The point guard position has a number of options. Sam Horowitz, Tyler Shannon and Mario Raposa all have the ability to fill minutes at that spot. Horwitz has shown much promise. He can drive, shoot and pass and right now has the inside track on the spot. Tyler Shannon will get a lot of minutes at the position if he doesn't start. Raposa can play the point or back up Kenyon at the two-guard spot. Raposa is a good passer and shooter. Jay McMahon is trying to lock down the third starting guard spot. He started at the point during the first half of last season and is a good defender. If he doesn't start, he can back up any of the guard positions.

Drew Lambert will back up both Correll and Pires. Lambert has good low post moves and is a strong player. Depending on the match up Lambert could start. Sophomore James Scholes is a player that Plante would like to develop into a scorer and he will back up Kenyon. Scholes handles the ball well and can shoot the three. Senior Trevor Griffin is back after not playing last year and is an aggressive defender and rebounder. David Emerson and Colin Coombes are both seniors that could provide extra depth in the lineup while Aaram Williams and Jordan Hassoun are both juniors that will be trying to break into the lineup.

This is a very deep, athletic and experienced squad that would like to improve upon last year's successful season. The roster is full of interchangeable parts as a number of players can play several positions and it gives Plante the opportunity to create favorable match-ups for his players and the ability to respond to the matchups created by the other team's rosters. The Cardinals should feature an exciting blend of rebounding and fast breaks which will be complemented by the outside shooters making them a team that will be difficult to defend. They were 10-6 in the South Coast Conference last season and have a goal of competing for the title each and every season.